TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS

 

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS

CHRISTIANITY

1And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

3And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

4And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, WITH WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED; LISTEN TO HIM.”

6When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “RISE, AND HAVE NO FEAR.”

8And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

MATTHEW 17:1-8

COMMENTARY

This story is mentioned only in the synoptic gospels, and in different words, but it is certain the tell of the same event not long before Lord Jesus sealed his testimony with the sacrifice of the cross (Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).

On this occasion, Jesus showed his authority over the Law and the Prophets in a clear and evident way.

His appearance changed. He became white and radiant, and also his clothes, showing his blessed state of being, unique only to Him.

But also, He showed this, to prove the divine sanction of his mission, with authority over the Law and the Prophets.

Moses and Eliajah appeared also next to Him, but they were not radiant as Jesus was. With this, Lord Jesus showed his connection to the ancient Mosaic religion. Jesus was not a faith apart from Judaism, but was part of it, uniting in Himself, the authority of both, the Torah and the Prophets, who in this vision, showed the acceptance of the authority of the Son of GOD, over the whole revelation given to mankind.

Peter, John and James, were in shock and rapture. This incredible experience to see Jesus in this form, and in his authority over the whole mosaic – temple, religion, had them out of themselves (Mark 9:6).

Suddenly, a bright clod covered them up, and the voice of GOD YHWH is said to have spoken from it, saying:

“THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, LISTEN TO HIM”

Thus, confirming GOD HIMSELF, that the vision was from HIM, and that indeed Lord JESUS had come to show Israel, and whole world, the love of GOD for us.

OFR